Hi littleblue! Congrats on completing your ride, no matter how you did it! I don't personally think it's embarassing to accept help when ya need it... when I was new my ex used to push me to help me get over certain hills... and as for walking... hey, I betcha a whole lot of people were sitting home on their couches! the fact that you were out DOING it is impressive!!!
use it as a "measuring stick" and one day when you climb that hill on your own you'll be thinking back and remembering when... a great way to know you've improved!
I did a 42 mile ride on Sat in howling wind... and wished I was home on MY couch!
There is a fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness".